How Do Hybrid Cars Work?

In the past few years, hybrid automotive technology has progressed in leaps and bounds—making hybrid cars an affordable option for many drivers in and across the country. The Holman family of dealerships carry a wide range of mild hybrid, hybrid-electric, and even full-electric vehicles, all of which rival traditional gas-powered models in power, driving dynamics, and more.

If you’re new to the world of hybrid vehicles, you’re probably curious about how hybrid cars work. This guide from Holman will cover everything about what a hybrid car is and how it works, so keep reading below to learn more—then explore our new vehicle inventory to find your next hybrid today!

Parallel Hybrid vs. Series Hybrid Vehicles

Whether you’re driving a Honda Accord Hybrid, Range Rover Hybrid, or anything in between, hybrids are a great choice for improving fuel economy. Just what is a hybrid car, and how does it work under the hood? A hybrid vehicle actually has two power sources: a traditional internal combustion engine and an electric battery. In hybrid systems, the two work in concert to minimize fuel consumption. Here’s how hybrid cars work in their two most common configurations, parallel and series:

Parallel Hybrid

Most hybrids on the market today are parallel hybrids. In these vehicles, both the electric motor and the gasoline engine are connected to the transmission, whether it’s an automatic, manual, or CVT system. They work by blending both power sources together.

Series Hybrid

Series hybrids also use an electric motor paired with a gasoline engine, but only the electric motor is paired with the transmission. In these vehicles, the electric motor is the sole source of power and the gasoline engine acts as a generator for the electric motor.

How Do Hybrid Cars Work Compared to Plug-In Electric Vehicles?

We went over how hybrid cars work above, but keep in mind that hybrids and plug-in electric vehicles are two distinct categories. So, how do hybrids and EVs differ? While hybrid vehicles run on the combined power of a gasoline engine and electric battery, EVs use electric power only. However, newer vehicles are beginning to blur the lines between the two. Some brands now offer plug-in hybrids, which combine the benefits of both:

• With their increased battery packs, plug-in hybrids can go further on electric power alone. 
• For short distances around , you can use a plug-in hybrid much like you’d drive an EV—relying on 100% electric power all day and recharging at night.
• If you’ll be heading out on a longer trip that exceeds the electric driving range, you can fill up on gasoline like you would with a conventional powertrain.
• Because they don’t rely solely on electricity, hybrid plug-in vehicles take between 1 and 4 hours to fully charge.

Discover Hybrid Power with Holman

Now that you know more about what a hybrid car is and how it works, you might have one more question: How will a hybrid car work for my drives in ? Thanks to the increasing number of hybrid vehicles to choose from, it’s easier than ever to find one that suits your needs and fits your budget! When you’re ready to learn more, contact our team to schedule a visit to a Holman dealership and test drive your own hybrid vehicle.